Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Churched

Home
Evangelical
Pay Attention to Your Reaction

Pay Attention to Your Reaction

Last updated on: August 7, 2018 at 12:53 pm by Matt Pearson

Pay Attention to Your Reaction 2018-08-07T12:53:29-05:00 Matt Pearson

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

At the end chapter 9, Luke records four different reactions by potential Jesus followers. First, James and John want to call down fire from heaven when they see that they, nor Jesus, are welcomed by Samaritans. They were being rejected. The Sons of Thunder reacted by wanting to live up to their name and bring destruction from the sky (see Luke 9:51-56).

Second, a very zealous man was told by Jesus to think twice before following Him. Being with Jesus wasnâ€™t about comfort and ease and â€œthe good lifeâ€ (see Luke 9:57-58).

Third, a manâ€™s reaction to Jesusâ€™ invitation to follow Him was a request to have time to bury his dad (see Luke 9:59-60).

Finally, a man reacts by wanting to say goodbye to his family (see Luke 9:61-62).

I find it interesting that the ones who knew better and the ones who had the worst reaction of all are the ones who are well known as Jesusâ€™ disciples – James and John.

Jesusâ€™ response to the other three were harsh, but not rejections.

We tend to read the response of Jesus to the final three interactions in Luke 9 as â€œdo or dieâ€ scenarios.

â€œUnless you are willing to give up your house and comfort, youâ€™re out.â€

â€œUnless you are willing to let someone else bury your parents, tough.â€

â€œUnless you have the faith that your family will be taken care of and will get over you leaving them, stay home.â€

But in each of these, Jesus doesnâ€™t tell them to leave. Jesus never tells them to go away from Him and get over themselves. In fact, if anyone needs to get over themselves here it is James and John. And we know they continued to be Jesusâ€™ disciples.

So why did Jesus lead James and John through Samaria if he knew they would reject Him?

Why did Jesus tell the comfortable man that He had no place to lay His head?

Why did Jesus tell the fatherless to let someone else bury his dad?

Why did Jesus tell the man to ignore his family?

To lead them to pay attention to their hearts. To pay attention to how they react. To show them (and us) how unique the kingdom of God is and what it is like. To show them (and us) how far our hearts are from where they need to be. To cause them (and us) to examine our hearts and seek help to get us from where we are to where we need to be.

Jesus didnâ€™t use a â€œthree strikes and youâ€™re outâ€ philosophy with these men. If that were the case, James and John would have walked to the dugout early. No, Jesus didnâ€™t tell these men they were â€œoutâ€ because of their reactions. He said what He said and did what He did to show the intense nature of the kingdom of God. His goal, I believe, was to reveal to them where their hearts were – compelling them to lean into where He was leading them to go.

Any people you want to destroy? Why?

Guilty of not wanting to follow Jesus because of the fear of what you will lose? Why?

Fearful of following Jesus because of what you will miss? Why?

Want to check with your family first before you follow Jesus fully? Why?

Pay attention to your reactions.

Pay attention to how you respond. Pay attention to your emotional and spiritual radar. Jesus will lead you into circumstances to expose your heart. Jesus will speak severe words to you. Lean into them. Pay attention to your reaction. Seek help from others and Him to take you from where you are, to where and whoÂ He is leading you to be.

Biblical Reflections

Previous Post

August 3, 2018

Sermon Illustration: What if You Stopped Believing in God?

Next Post

August 10, 2018 A Prayer for My Kids on the First Day of School

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Biblical Reflections Devotions Fridays are For Illustrations General Challenge General Preaching Resources Letters to West Franklin Preparing to Preach Table Talk Questions The Preaching Event Top Ten Quotes Uncategorized West Franklin West Franklin Talks

Select a Month March 2023 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 September 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who said: "Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come"?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Jesus John An angel A voice from heaven (or the multitude)